Systems and methods for presenting information about products based on movement of the products

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for presenting information related to a product offered for sale in response to movement of the product. An example method includes receiving a movement indicator from a tag associated with the product. The movement indicator indicates movement of the product. The movement indicator includes an identifier. The method further includes identifying, in a tag data structure, a presentation device associated with the identifier, and causing information about the product to be displayed at a presentation device located proximate to the tag, whereby the consumer is able to perceive the information about the product.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods forpresenting information about products to consumers, in response tomovement of the products, for example, by the consumers.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Merchants are known to offer products for sale at merchant locations.The products are often packaged with certain information about theproducts listed on the packaging. In addition, or alternatively, theproducts are stocked onto shelves, which may include paper placardsindicating product names, product numbers and prices. Some of thesepaper placards include additional information about the products.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for use in presentinginformation about a product to a consumer in response to movement of theproduct, where the system includes a communication hub and a tag coupledto the product;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the exemplary communication hub of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the exemplary tag of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an exemplary method, suitable for use with the system of FIG.1, to present information about a product to a consumer.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings. The description and specific examplesincluded herein are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Merchants offer products for sale to consumers at merchant locations.Products offered for sale may include products packaged for sale orunpackaged for sale, and/or in certain circumstances, display samples,which permit consumers to interact with the products prior to purchase.At merchant locations, information about the products offered for salemay be limited. The systems and methods herein permit the merchant tosense movement of products and to present expanded information about theproducts, at a display, for example, in response to its movement.Specifically, a movement tag is associated with a product offered forsale, which senses movement of the product, and permits a communicationhub to present a wide array of information about the product to theconsumer. In this manner, the merchant may offer an interactiveexperience at the merchant location, where the products are present,thereby resulting in more informed decisions in purchasing, or notpurchasing, the product.

Additionally, or alternatively, the systems and methods herein maypermit data related to the movement of products in or around merchantlocations, prior to purchase, at purchase, and after purchase, to begathered and analyzed. Based on such data, the information presented toconsumers about the products and/or other aspects of the consumers'purchase experiences may be evaluated, and potentially modified.

With reference now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplarysystem 100, in which one or more aspects of the present disclosure maybe implemented. Although the system 100 is presented in one arrangement,it should be appreciated that other exemplary embodiments may includethe same or different components arranged otherwise, depending on, forexample, the type of retail location, the number of products associatedwith tags of the system 100, a merchant's use of the system 100, etc.

The illustrated system 100 generally includes a communication hub 102located at a merchant location 104. The communication hub 102 may be asingle device, or multiple devices located together or distributedthroughout the merchant location 104. For example, the communication hub102 may be distributed at the merchant location 104 to permit trackingof the products at the merchant location 104, as described below. In atleast one embodiment, the communication hub 102 may include multipledevices, in which at least one of the multiple devices is located remotefrom the merchant location 104.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the communication hub 102 of the system100. As shown, the communication hub 102 includes a processor 202 and amemory 204 that is coupled to the processor 202. The processor 202 mayinclude one or more processing units. The computing device 200 isprogrammable to perform one or more operations described herein byprogramming the processor 202 and/or the memory 204. The processor 202may include, but is not limited to, a general purpose central processingunit (CPU), a microcontroller, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC)processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), aprogrammable logic circuit (PLC), a gate array, and/or any other circuitor processor capable of the functions described herein. The aboveexamples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in anyway the definition and/or meaning of processor.

The memory 204, as described herein, is one or more devices that enableinformation, such as executable instructions and/or other data, to bestored and retrieved. The memory 204 may include one or morecomputer-readable media, such as, without limitation, dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read onlymemory (ROM), solid state devices, and/or hard disks. The memory 204 maybe configured to store, without limitation, product specifications,product pricing, product instructions, product reviews, product ratings,listings of comparable and/or related products, listings of productaccessories, and/or other information described herein, etc.

The memory 204 further includes a tag data structure. In the illustratedembodiment, the tag data structure is a database of tags, tagidentifiers, presentation devices, product information, and/orassociations therebetween, etc. The tag data structure, in variousembodiments, is generated when a product is received and/or stocked atthe merchant location 104. For example, an identifier associated with atag on the product may be received from the tag, or read from thepackaging of the product, and then stored in memory 204 as associatedwith a particular product and/or presentation devices, etc.Alternatively, or additionally, in some examples, tags are programmedwith specific identifiers at the merchant location 104, or prior toarrival at the merchant location 104, which are associated with aparticular product, products, the merchant and/or presentation device(s)in the tag data structure.

The communication hub 102 also includes a network interface 206 coupledto the processor 202 and the memory 204. The network interface 206 mayinclude a wired network adapter and/or a wireless network, either beingconfigured to conform to one or more standards, such as, for example,Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), IEEE 802 (e.g., 802.11,etc.), etc., or non-standard protocols. In the illustrated embodiment,the network interface 206 is configured to receive Bluetoothtransmissions from one or more tags (described below) and furtherconfigured for IEEE 802 communication, wired or wireless, with one ormore presentation devices, as described herein. The network interface206 may include multiple modules integrated together, or separate. Itshould be appreciated that different standards and/or types of networkinterfaces may be employed in other communication hub embodiments,depending on, for example, the type of tags, presentation devices, andany other devices included in the systems. Further, while separate inthe illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the network interface 206 and theprocessor 202 may be integrated in other embodiments.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the system 100 further includes multipleproducts offered for sale 106 a-d. The products 106 a-d may be productspackaged or unpackaged for purchase by a consumer, or sample productswith which the consumer is permitted to interact. It should beappreciated that the tags 110 may be coupled to the products in anymanner, which permits the movement of the tag 110 to be generallyindicative of movement of the product. The tags 110 may be coupled tothe product, such that the tags 110 may or may not be accessible to amerchant. In one example, the tag 110 may be accessible to the merchantoutside the product or packaging, to enable a battery (not shown) of thetag 110 to be connected, for example, by removing a non-conductordisposed between the battery and battery contacts (not shown) after theproduct arrives at the merchant location 104. In other examples, thebattery of the tag 110 is connected prior to receipt at the merchantlocation 104. Further, in one or more embodiments, when the tags 110 areembedded within the product or packaging of the products, one or moreindicators of the tag 110 (e.g., an identifier, etc.) may bescanned/read and provided on the outside of the product or packaging (sothat the identifier may be added to a tag data structure, for example).

As shown in FIG. 1, the products 106 a-c are associated with movementtags 110. The tag 110 is coupled to the outside of the product 106 a (orpackaging of the products), via adhesive or some other knownmechanism/method. The tags 110 are embedded within the products 106 band within the packaging of the product 106 c. In one example, a tabletcomputer product may be packaged within a box and shrink wrapped, with amovement tag 110 embedded within the box, or in between the box and theshrink wrap. As indicated above, the association of the tag 110 with theproduct may be different in other embodiments.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, tags 110 are omitted fromproducts 106 d at the merchant location 104, which are the same productas the product sample 106 a. In this manner, the consumer may interactwith the product sample 106 a, but then purchase the packaged product106 d. For certain products, it may be inefficient to associate a tagfor each product, such that tagging a sample product may be preferredfor triggering presentation of information about the product. Forexample, where the product is more interactive as a sample than in itsoriginal packaging (e.g., a camera, etc.), a merchant may opt to drivethe presentation of information with the product sample 106 a, ratherthan the packaged products 106 d. It should be appreciated that variousreasons may exist to include or omit tags, including, for example, thetype, size, packaging, cost and features of products.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of the movement tag 110 of the system100. As shown, the tag 110 includes a motion sensor 302 and acommunication module 304. The motion sensor 302 is configured to sensemovement of the tag 110 and to generate an output indicative ofmovement. The motion sensor 302 is an accelerometer in this exemplaryembodiment, but may include any other device suitable to generate anoutput upon its movement or rotation, or to permit the communication hub102, for example, to detect its movement in other embodiments. Thecommunication module 304 is configured to receive the output from themotion sensor 302 and to transmit a movement indicator. In someembodiments, the communication module 304 may be configured to receivean output signals for a predefined interval, or of a predefinedintensity, before transmitting a movement indicator. For example, thecommunication module 304 may require an output from the sensor 302 forsome interval (e.g., about 300 milliseconds, etc.) before transmitting amovement indicator. The interval may be included, for example, todistinguish a purposeful movement of the product by the consumer, frommerely jostling the product by movement of adjacent products.Additionally, or alternatively, the communication module 304 may employa minimum duration between transmitted movement indicators, including,for example, about 10 seconds, 20 seconds, or another suitable interval.Such minimum durations may be employed, in some examples, to save onbattery life.

It should be appreciated that other sensors, in addition to the motionsensor 302, may be included in other tag embodiments. Such sensors mayinclude barometers, thermometers, acoustic sensors, compasses, or otherknown sensors, etc. In at least one embodiment, a motion sensor may beomitted from the tag depending on, for example, the type of tag (e.g.,passive versus active). Specifically, for example, tags may transmit amovement indicator when entering an electric field generated by thecommunication hub, where the communication hub is acting as a reader ofthe passive RFID or magnetic/inductor tags. More generally, in severalembodiments, the tag may be configured such that movement of the tag isdetected, by a communication module, when the tag passes into or out ofsome area associated with the communication module.

In this exemplary embodiment, the communication module 304 incorporatesa processor, as described above, and a wireless, radio-frequency (RF)module (not shown), such as, for example, a Bluetooth device, an RFIDdevice, a NFC device, or another device suitable to communicate with thecommunication hub 102. The processor and the wireless module areintegrated into a single integrated circuit, but may be separate inother embodiments. The range of the communication module 304 may be anydesired range, for example, about 10 feet, about 30 feet, about 100feet, about 150 feet, about 330 feet, or another range depending on, forexample, the particular communication module 304 employed, and/or thearrangement of the communication hub 102 in or around the merchantlocation 104, etc.

The movement indicator transmitted by the communication module 304 ofthe tag 110 includes at least an identifier. The identifier may bespecific or unique to the product with which the tag 110 is associated,or may be specific to only a general type or model of product, or may beunique to the tag 110, etc. For example, the identifier may denote thatthe product is the Brand X tablet, or may denote that the product is themodel ABC of the Brand X tablet, or may denote that the product is thetablet with serial number #ABC123. Additionally, or alternatively, theidentifier may be included in the tag 110 prior to association with theproduct, or after association with the product. In one example, themerchant programs the tags 110 with particular identifiers, while inanother example, a product manufacturer programs the tags 110 prior toor after associating the tags 110 with products.

In various embodiments, in addition to, or as part of, the identifier,the movement indicator may include additional information, or additionaldetail about the product. For example, a manufacturing date and/or batchcode may be included in the movement indicator, or other informationspecific to the manufacturer or product. In another example, themovement indicator may indicate movement of the tag 110 in each of the 3axes of the motion sensor 302 (or product 106), or may otherwiseindicate a character of the movement of the tag 110. The informationincluded in the movement indicator may extend beyond movement of the tag110, and may include other information depending on, for example, typeand number of sensors included in the tag, etc. Further, the movementindicator, its format, and the information contained therein may beconfigured by the merchant, or prior to its arrival at the merchantlocation 104.

Although the sensor 302 and communication module 304 are illustrated asseparate in FIG. 3, it should be appreciated that the sensor 302 andcommunication module 304 may be integrated together. For example, thesensor 302 and communication module 304 may be included in theintegrated circuit board, such as, for example, the MetaWear™ board fromMbienLabs, San Francisco, Calif., which includes, for example, an ARMCortex processor.

In the illustrated embodiment, the movement tag 110 includes a housing306, which encloses the sensor 302 and the communication module 304. Invarious embodiments, the tag 110 may be integrally formed orincorporated into the products 106 or their packaging. Additionally, oralternatively, the tag housing 306 may be configured to be coupled tothe product, or its packaging. For example, a tag may be separate fromthe product, yet include an adhesive surface, a clip, an aperture formedin the housing to receive a mechanical connector or fastener, etc. tocouple thereto.

The tag 110 is generally compact in size, to facilitate association withthe product offered for sale. The manner in which the tag 110 isassociated to the product 106, whether coupled to or incorporated in,will often depend on the product 106, and its packaging as previouslydescribed.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the illustrated system 100 also includes twopresentation devices 112 a-b disposed at the merchant location 104, andpositioned proximate to products 106 b and products 106 a,c,respectively. It should be appreciated that the number and/or positionof the presentation devices 112 a-b may be different in otherembodiments, depending on, for example, the number of products offeredfor sale, the distribution of products, the types of products, therelationship between products, etc. Generally, the presentation devices112 a-b may be configured to present information visually and/oraudibly. As such, the presentation devices 112 a-b are positionedproximate to the products 106 a-c such that they are perceivable, (e.g.,viewable or audible, etc.) from the location of the products 106 a-c,for which information is to be presented in accordance with thedescription herein. For example, the presentation device 112 a-b may bewithin a line-of sight from the product 106, such that the consumer,picking up the product from where it is displayed or stocked, is able tosee the presentation device 112 a-b. Each of the presentation devices112 a-b may include, without limitation, a cathode ray tube (CRT), aliquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, anorganic LED (OLED) display, an “electronic ink” display, a speaker,and/or other device suitable to present information to a consumer, etc.

The system 100 is configured to present information to the consumer atone or more of the presentation devices 112 a-b, based on sensedmovement of the product 106 a-c by tags 110. Specifically, for example,when a consumer is shopping in the merchant location 104 and picks up aproduct 106 a (i.e., moves the produce 106 a from one position toanother position, etc.), the tag 110 associated with the product 106 asenses movement of the product 106 a. In turn, the tag 110, andspecifically the communication module 304, transmits a movementindicator, as indicated by reference 108. The communication hub 102receives the movement indicator (or more broadly, detects movement ofthe tag 110), and identifies the presentation device 112 a associatedwith the tag 110, based on the movement indicator. The communication hub102 then causes information related to the product 106 a to be presentedat the identified presentation device 112 a.

The information, as previously described, may include various differenttypes of information relating to the product, including, withoutlimitation, product pricing, product specifications, product reviews,product instructions, product rating, comparable products (i.e.,products which include one or more similar features, or may be generallyinterchangeable, etc.), etc. Additionally, or alternatively, theinformation may include a listing of one or more accessories suitablefor use with the product. For example, if a smartphone is the productmoved by the consumer, a listing of cases, headsets, extras batteries,and chargers suitable for use with the particular smartphone may bepresented, e.g., displayed, at the presentation device. In anotherexample, if a Brand X tablet is moved by the consumer, Brand A, Brand B,and Brand C tablets may also be presented, e.g., displayed, at thepresentation device, with particular specifications for each brand oftablet also presented for comparison. In this manner, the consumer gainsaccess to information about the product or products by merely moving theproduct, thereby permitting the merchant to educate the consumer aboutthe product (or comparable/related products) and allow the consumer tomake a more informed purchasing decision, if desired.

It should be appreciated that the amount, type, and sequence ofinformation presented to the consumer may vary depending on the product,the proximity of different products, the merchant, the merchantlocations, etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method of presenting information about aproduct. The method 400 is described with reference to system 100 and inparticular, product 106 a. It should be understood, however, that themethod 400 is not limited to the exemplary system 100. Likewise, thesystem 100 should not be understood to be limited to the exemplarymethod 400.

When a consumer picks up the product 106 a, the tag 110 senses themovement of the product, at 402, and transmits a movement indicator, at404. The movement indicator includes at least an identifier. Thecommunication hub 102 receives the movement indicator from the tag 110,at 406. The communication hub 102 identifies in the tag data structure,at 408, the presentation device 112 a associated with the movementindicator, and in particular, the identifier included in the movementindicator. Then, the communication hub 102 causes, at 410, informationabout the product 106 a to be presented (e.g., displayed, etc.) at theidentified presentation device 112 a.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the consumer is presented withinformation about the product, in response to the consumer's movement ofthe product. In various implementations, the amount and type ofinformation presented at the identified presentation device 112 a isenhanced information previously available at the merchant location 104per product, because, for example, a single presentation device may beemployed to sequence through different information about the product ormultiple products. In this manner, a substantial volume of dynamicinformation may be offered to the consumer, at the merchant location104, within a particular space, for example, a space needed for apresentation device 112 (e.g., a 12-100 inch LCD or LED display disposedabove a kiosk of products, etc.).

In addition to the presentation of initial information, thecommunication hub 102 may cause subsequent information to be presentedat the identified presentation device 112 a, based on a number ofdifferent conditions.

As shown in FIG. 4, the method 400 further includes a predeterminedtime, which is started, at 412, after the communication hub 102 causesinformation to be presented at the presentation device 112 a. Thepredetermined time is a time period for which the information about theproduct 106 a is to be presented to the consumer (for example, in theabsence of another movement indicator identifying the presentationdevice 112 a). The predetermined time may include any suitable time,including, without limitation, about 60 seconds, about 90 seconds, 3minutes, about 5 minutes, etc. At 414, the communication hub 102determines if the predetermined time has expired. If expired, thecommunication hub 102 causes, at 416, different information to bepresented at the presentation device 112 a. Such information may includedifferent information about the product 106 a, or a different product orproducts, an advertisement related or unrelated to the product 106 a,information about the merchant, etc. In particular, for example, after aconsumer picks up the product 106 a, replaces it, and walks away, it maybe beneficial to alter the information at the presentation device 112 ato present discounted products, or information about the merchant, orother advertisements, rather than continue to present information forthe product 106 a when the consumer has moved on to other products.

In addition to the predetermined time, the method 400 further includesconditional steps for movement indicators received from the tag 110, orother tags 110, which are associated with the same presentation device112 a. Here, the communication hub 102, after identifying thepresentation device 112 a, determines if the presentation device 112 hasbeen identified previously, at 418. If no, at 418, the method proceedsto step 410.

If yes, at 418, the communication hub 102 determines, at 420, if it hasbeen more than 10 seconds, for example, since it received a priormovement indicator for the presentation device 112 a. If no, at 420, thecommunication hub 102 takes no further action on the received movementindicator. In this way, the communication hub 102 may permit theconsumer to perceive the information presented at the presentationdevice 112 a for a limited time interval, without the consumer's furthermovement of the product 106 a causing the presented information tochange. If yes, at 420, the communication hub 102 then determines at 422if it has been less than 30 seconds, for example, since receiving thelast movement indicator. If no, at 422, the method proceeds to step 410,and the communication hub 102 causes information about the product 106 aindicated by the movement indicator to be presented at the presentationdevice 112 a. In this manner, the communication hub 102 reserves theoriginal information on the presentation device 112 a for a period oftime, then permits different information about other products to bepresented. This may, in some examples, reduce the potential forinterference between different consumers attempting to view informationabout the same or different products at the presentation device 112 a.After causing the information to be presented, at 410, the communicationhub 102 resets the predetermined time, at 412.

If yes, at 422, the communication hub 102 determines, at 424, if themovement indicator relates to the same product 106 a (or potentially,from the same tag 110). If no, at 424, the communication hub 102 takesno further action on the received movement indicator. In this way, themethod 400 permits one consumer to view information about a product forat least 30 seconds, without a second consumer causing information abouta different product to be presented at the presentation device 112 a.Conversely, if yes, at 424, the communication hub 102 causes at 426different information about the product 106 a to be presented at thepresentation device 112 a. In this manner, the second movement of theproduct 106 a, and further movements of the product 106 a, permits theconsumer in some examples to scroll through different information aboutthe product 106 a at the presentation device 112 a. After causing thedifferent information to the presented, the communication hub 102 resetsthe predetermined time, at 412.

It should be appreciated that the type, volume, content, and sequence ofinformation for the same or different products at a presentation devicemay be different in other embodiments. For example, each product may beassociated with an information schedule, which is specific or genericthereto. The schedule indicates to the communication hub 102, whichinformation to be presented, and in what sequence (e.g. firstinformation, second information, etc.), the type, volume, content andsequence may vary greatly depending of the product. It should further beappreciated that the time intervals and predetermined times describedabove are merely exemplary, and that other time internals andpredetermined times may be used on other embodiments.

In various embodiments, the communication hub 102 may further determine,based on inputs from a merchant, for example, the manner in whichinformation is presented at the presentation devices 112 a-b. In oneembodiment, when the method 400 causes the communication hub 102 topresent information about a different product, the subsequentinformation may be presented in place of the prior information at thepresentation device 112. Alternatively, in some embodiments, theinformation may be displayed, in a split-screen or other arrangement atthe presentation device 112 a. For example, when a consumer picks up afirst digital camera and then picks up a second different camera,information about the first and second cameras may be presented side-byside at the presentation device 112 a. In this way, the consumer may beable to compare, side-by-side, related information about two differentproducts.

In various embodiments, a sales person at the merchant location 104, andnot the consumer in some examples, may move the product 106 a one ormore times to cause information about the product to be displayed to theconsumer. For example, the sales person may move the product 106 a, wait20 seconds and then move the product 106 a again (or move the product106 a in a particular direction) to advance the information displayed atthe presentation device 112 a to address a question posed by theconsumer, the sales person, in this example, may be more familiar withwhen/how to move the product to get to the most relevant information forthe consumer's question. Whether by the consumer, or by a sales person,it should be appreciated that presenting information, or differentinformation about a product in response to movement of the product may,in some embodiments, provide expanded, or even unlimited, informationabout the product to the consumer. In this way, the consumer is able tomake more informed decisions about purchasing, or not purchasing, theproduct.

In at least one other embodiment, the presentation device 112 a includesone or more input device to receive inputs to alter the informationpresented at the presentation device 112 a. For example, thepresentation device 112 a may include a touchscreen suitable to permitthe consumer to select particular information about the product. Theinput device(s) may be used instead of, or in addition to furthermovement of the product.

In addition to causing information to be presented to the consumer, thecommunication hub 102 may further append data to the tag data structureor another data structure associated with the receipt of movementindicators. Specifically, for example, the communication hub 102 mayidentify and store data based on the movement indicators in memory 204,including, for example, temporal indicators (e.g., date and time) of oneor more movement indicators, a duration between movement indicators fromthe same tag 110, movement information related to one or more axes ofthe product, one or more directions of the movement, duration of themovement, etc. The communication hub 102, when employed in multipledevices, may further store the particular communication hub (orlocation) at which the movement indicator is received. In this manner,the communication hub 102 generates a profile of a product as it isstocked, moved by one or more consumers, and up to and includingpurchase. In some embodiments, in which the identifier included in themovement indicator is product specific, the above information and otherinformation (e.g., the duration of movement of a particular product) maybe stored on a per product basis. In other embodiments, the above datamay be identified and stored at whatever granularity is permitted by theidentifier, the movement indicator, the distribution of thecommunication hub 102, and/or as desired by the merchant or other entityassociated with the merchant location 104.

Additionally, the communication hub 102 may be further configured toidentify and store a signal strength of one or more movement indicators.The signal strength is indicative of the approximate distance betweenthe communication hub 102, and the tag 110 from which the movementindicator is transmitted. The approximate distance may be used, by thecommunication hub 102, to determine the location of the product, forexample. In various embodiments, the communication hub 102 may belocated specifically throughout the merchant location 104, so that thesystem 100 may detect certain stages of the purchase process. In oneexample, in which the communication hub 102 is located in closeproximity to point of sale (POS) terminals, the signal strength of themovement indicator may be used to determine if the product is beingpurchased (i.e., the signal strength is sufficiently high, indicatingthe product is within a predefined distance of the POS terminals). Inanother example, the communication hub 102 may be located throughout themerchant location 104, including at an entrance/exit. When a movementindicator is only received at the communication hub 102 at theentrance/exit, the communication hub 102 may determine the product 106has been removed from the store, after purchase or theft.

Further, the communication hub 102, in some embodiments, may furthertrack a location of the product as it is moved throughout the merchantlocation 104. Specifically, for example, the communication hub 102 maybe dispersed at multiple locations throughout the merchant location 104,such that a movement indicator from the product 106 a would be receivedby the communication hub 102 at least at three different locations inthe merchant location 104. Based on the received movement indicators,and the relative strength of the movement indicators at the threelocations (e.g., at three different devices of the communication hub102), a location of the product 106 a may be triangulated by thecommunication hub 102. In this manner, the communication hub 102 maytrack, consistently or intermittently, the movement of products withtags 110 throughout the merchant location 104.

It should be appreciated that the movement indicators, the placement ofthe communication hub 102 and/or approximate distances to the tags 110may be used to determine a variety of different information about thepurchase behaviors of consumers, in general or relative to specificproducts.

It should be understood that the information gathered from the tags 110may be used, by the communication hub 102, or other systems or persons,in a variety of different ways. For example, longer durations for whicha consumer inspects a product at the merchant location 104, and moves itto view different sides of the packaging may indicate, in someinstances, the information on the packaging is too complex or theinformation displayed at the presentation device 112 a-b isinsufficient.

Further, in another example, minimal movement of a product prior topurchase may indicate the product is often purchased with little or noinspection which may cause the communication hub 102 to reduce theinformation presented at the presentation device 112 a-b is for thatproduct. In yet another example, consistent movement of two likeproducts in the same relative time period may indicate the products areclosely comparable, which may cause the communication hub 102 to updatecomparable product information.

In another example, if the communication hub 102 is repeatedly causingdifferent information about the same or different product to bedisplayed at the presentation device 112 a-b, the communication hub 102may cause new information to be displayed side-by-side with priorinformation in some instances (e.g., at particular times of day, etc.),rather than in place of the prior information, to increase theinformation presented at the presentation device 112 a-b. In suchexamples, the communication hub 102 may further, or alternatively,adjust the predetermined times and intervals used in responding toconsecutive movement indicators. In the above example, the dataidentified and stored by the communication hub 102 is fed back into thesystem 100, in some embodiments, to enhance performance. In the same orother embodiments, the data may be used outside of the system 100 toaffect marketing, sales, and/or manufacturing efforts associated withone or more products.

In at least one embodiment, the tags 110 are employed to gather data,and are incorporated in a system, which omits the presentation ofinformation at presentation devices at the merchant location 104.

It should be appreciated that the functions and steps described herein,in some embodiments, may be described in computer executableinstructions stored on a computer readable media, and executable by oneor more processors. The computer readable media is a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium. By way of example, and not limitation,such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM orother optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of instructions or data structures andthat can be accessed by a computer. Combinations of the above shouldalso be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

In one exemplary embodiment, a system for gathering data related to aproduct offered for sale at a merchant location includes a product and amovement tag coupled to the product. The tag includes a motion sensorconfigured to generate an output when moved; and a communication modulecoupled to the motion sensor, the communication module configured toreceive the output from the motion sensor and broadcast a movementindicator. The movement indicator includes an identifier, which isunique to at least one of the movement tag and the product.

It should also be appreciated that one or more aspects of the presentdisclosure transform a general-purpose computing device into aspecial-purpose computing device when configured to perform thefunctions, methods, and/or processes described herein.

As will be appreciated based on the foregoing specification, theabove-described embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented usingcomputer programming or engineering techniques including computersoftware, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof,wherein the technical effect may be achieved by performing at least oneof the following steps: (a) receiving a first movement indicator from afirst tag associated with a first product, the first movement indicatorindicating movement of the first product, the first movement indicatorincluding a first identifier; (b) identifying, in a tag data structure,a presentation device associated with the first identifier; (c) causinginformation about the first product to be displayed at a presentationdevice located proximate to the first tag; (d) identifying and storingdata based on the movement indicator to a tag data structure stored in amemory, including, for example, a temporal indicator and a signalstrength of the movement indicator; (e) receiving a second movementindicator from the first tag associated with the first product; (f)causing different information about the first product to be displayed,at said presentation device; (g) comprising receiving a second movementindicator from the first tag; and (h) causing the second informationabout the first product to be displayed after receiving the secondmovement indicator.

With that said, exemplary embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to thosewho are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth suchas examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide athorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need notbe employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

Specific values disclosed herein are example in nature and do not limitthe scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure herein of particularvalues is not exclusive of other values that may be useful in one ormore of the examples disclosed herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” “coupled to,” “associated with,” or “included with”another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected orcoupled to, or associated with, or included with the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

The term “about” when applied to values indicates that the calculationor the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (withsome approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonablyclose to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecisionprovided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with thisordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at leastvariations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or usingsuch parameters. For example, the terms “generally,” “about,” and“substantially,” may be used herein to mean within manufacturingtolerances.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the exemplary embodiments.

The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for presenting information related to aproduct offered for sale at a merchant location, the system comprising:a communication hub including a processor and a memory, the memoryincluding a tag data structure; a plurality of tags each associated witha product of a plurality of products offered for sale at the merchantlocation, each tag including a motion sensor that is configured to sensemovement of the tag and output movement indicators for movement of theproduct associated with the tag, the movement indicators including anidentifier associated with at least one of the tag and the product; anda plurality of presentation devices coupled to the communication hub,the presentation devices disposed at the merchant location proximate toproducts offered for sale; wherein the communication hub is configuredto: receive a first movement indicator from one of the plurality of tagsin response to a motion sensor of the one of the plurality of tagsdetecting a first movement of the product offered for sale from a firstposition in the merchant location and associated with the one of theplurality of tags; identify, in the tag data structure, the productoffered for sale based on an identifier included in the first movementindicator; identify, in the tag data structure, a presentation device ofthe plurality of presentation devices that is associated with theidentifier; cause to be presented, at the identified presentationdevice, information related to the product associated with the one ofthe plurality of tags; receive a second movement indicator from the oneof the plurality of tags in response to the motion sensor of the one ofthe plurality of tags detecting a second movement of the productassociated with the one of the plurality of tags, the second movementnot including movement of the product associated with the one of theplurality of tags to the first position; and in response to receivingthe first movement indicator, identifying the product and presentationdevice, causing the information related to the product to be presentedat the identified presentation device, and receiving the second movementindicator: cause different information related to the product associatedwith the one of the plurality of tags to be presented at the identifiedpresentation device when the second movement indicator is received fromthe one of the plurality of tags at least a predetermined time afterreceiving the first movement indicator, but not cause the differentinformation to be displayed when the second movement indicator isreceived from the one of the plurality of tags less than thepredetermined time of receiving the first movement indicator.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of tags includes acommunication module configured to communicate wirelessly to thecommunication hub; the communication module including a processor,wherein the motion sensor of the one of the plurality of tags comprisesan accelerometer coupled to the communication module.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the communication module further includes one of aradio-frequency (RF) device, a RFID device, a Bluetooth device, and aNFC device.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication hub isdistributed throughout the merchant location; and wherein the identifiedpresentation device is located within a line of sight from the productassociated with the one of the plurality of tags.
 5. The system of claim1, wherein the information includes at least one of a specification forthe product associated with the one of the plurality of tags, a ratingof the product associated with the one of the plurality of tags, and areview of the product associated with the one of the plurality of tags.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the information includes at least oneof a comparable product for the product associated with the one of theplurality of tags and an accessory suitable for use with the productassociated with the one of the plurality of tags.
 7. The system of claim1, wherein the communication hub is further configured to causeinformation unrelated to the product to be displayed at the identifiedpresentation device, in response to detecting, by the motion sensor ofthe one of the plurality of tags, that the product has been moved to thefirst position.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication hubis further configured to cause information related to the product to bedisplayed at the identified presentation device, in response todetecting, by the motion sensor of the one of the plurality of tags,that the product has been moved to the first position.
 9. A method ofpresenting information about a product to a consumer, based on movementof the product, the method comprising: receiving a first movementindicator from a first tag associated with a first product in responseto detecting, by a motion sensor of the first tag, a first movement ofthe first product from a first position in a merchant location, thefirst movement indicator including a first identifier associated with atleast one of the first tag and the first product; identifying, in a tagdata structure, a presentation device of a plurality of presentationdevices that is associated with the first identifier; causing, by aprocessor, information about the first product to be displayed to theconsumer at the identified presentation device; receiving a secondmovement indicator from the first tag in response to detecting, by themotion sensor of the first tag, a second movement of the first product,the second movement not including movement of the first product to thefirst position, the second movement indicator including the firstidentifier; and in response to receiving the first movement indicator,identifying the presentation device, causing the information about thefirst product to be displayed, and receiving the second movementindicator: causing, by the processor, different information about thefirst product to be displayed to the consumer at the identifiedpresentation device when the second movement indicator is received atleast a predetermined time after the first movement indicator isreceived.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the information about thefirst product includes at least one comparable product.
 11. The methodof claim 9, further comprising after receiving the first second movementindicator from the first tag and causing the different information aboutthe first product to be displayed; receiving a third movement indicatorfrom a second tag associated with a second product in response todetecting, by a motion sensor of the second tag, movement of the secondproduct, the third movement indicator including a second identifier;identifying said presentation device as associated with the secondidentifier included in the third movement indicator; and causinginformation about the second product to be displayed at saidpresentation device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein causing theinformation about the second product to be displayed includes causingthe information about the second product to be displayed in place of theinformation about the first product.
 13. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: coupling the first tag to at least one of the first productor packaging associated with the first product; and associating thefirst identifier to said presentation device in the tag data structure.14. The method of claim 9, further comprising; identifying aninformation schedule associated with at least one of the firstidentifier and the first product, the information schedule includingsaid information about the first product and the different informationabout the first product; and causing, in response to receiving asubsequent movement indicator, at least one of the information about thefirst product and the different information about the first product tobe displayed to the consumer based on the information schedule.
 15. Amethod of informing a consumer about a product offered for purchase, themethod comprising: receiving a first movement indicator from a first tagassociated with a first product at a merchant location in response todetecting, by a motion sensor of the first tag, a first movement of thefirst product from a first position in the merchant location, the firstmovement indicator including a first identifier associated with at leastone of the first tag and the first product; identifying, in a tag datastructure, by a processor, a presentation device of a plurality ofpresentation devices that is associated with the first identifier;causing, by the processor, information about the first product to bedisplayed to the consumer at the identified presentation device;receiving a second movement indicator from a second tag associated witha second product at the merchant location in response to detecting, by amotion sensor of the second tag, movement of the second product, whereinthe second product is different from the first product, the secondmovement indicator including a second identifier associated with atleast one of the second tag and the second product; identifying, by theprocessor, the presentation device as associated with the secondidentifier; and causing, by the processor, information about the secondproduct to be displayed at the identified presentation device.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the first movement indicator furtherincludes an indication of movement of the first product in each of an x,y, and z axis, wherein the second movement indicator further includes anindication of movement of the second product in each of an x, y, and zaxis.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising identifying andstoring, in the tag data structure, a duration between the firstmovement indicator and the second movement indicator.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein causing information about the second product to bedisplayed to the consumer includes causing the information about thesecond product to be displayed side-by-side with the information aboutthe first product at the identified presentation device.